Father Struggles After Son Dies of Rare Infection

ST. PAUL (AP) – The father of a boy who died of a suspected rare amoeba infection says he’s struggling with the shock of his sudden death.

Jim Ariola of Wyoming, Minn., tells the St. Paul Pioneer Press the 9-year-old swam in Lily Lake in Stillwater last week. Health officials say that’s where the child likely contracted the severe brain infection. The amoeba enters the body through the nose during swimming or diving.

Ariola says his son was traveling with his mother in Grand Marais (muh-RAY’) when the infection struck quickly Friday. The boy was flown to a Duluth hospital where his condition worsened. He was taken off life support Tuesday.

Minnesota’s only previously confirmed case was in 2010. That child also swam in Lily Lake, which is now closed.

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